‘A thousand curses on all of them,’ hissed Gorkai.
Talisman grinned. ‘They will not have enough ladders. They would not have expected a siege. And there are no trees to hack down here to make them. We have close to two hundred men now, fifty per wall should they try to attack on all sides. We will hold them, Gorkai – at least for some days.’
‘And then what?’
‘We live or die,’ answered Talisman, with a weary shrug.
Far away to the south-west the sky began to glow a dull, flickering red. ‘What is that?’ asked Gorkai.
‘With luck it is the enemy camp burning,’ said Talisman grimly. ‘It will not slow them overmuch, but it will rob them of their complacency.*
‘I hope many die.’
‘Why do you stay?’ asked Talisman.
Gorkai looked puzzled. ‘What do you mean? Where else would I be? I am Wolfshead now, Talisman. You are my leader.’
‘I may have led you to a path of no returning, Gorkai.’
‘All paths lead to death, Talisman. But here I am at one with the Gods of Stone and Water. I am Nadir again, and that has meaning.’
‘Indeed it does. And I tell you this, my friend, it will have more meaning in the years to come. When the Uniter leads his armies the world will tremble at the sound of the name Nadir.’
‘That is a pleasant thought to take to my bed,’ said Gorkai, with a smile.
Just then both men saw the figure of Zhusai emerge from the sleeping quarters. She was dressed only in a shift of white linen and she walked slowly, dreamily, towards the gates. Talisman ran down the steps, closely followed by Gorkai, and they caught up with her on the open steppes. Gently Talisman took her by the arm. Her eyes were wide open and unblinking. ‘Where is my Lord?’ she asked.
‘Zhusai? What is wrong?’ whispered Talisman.
‘I am lost,’ she said. ‘Why is my spirit chained in the Dark Place?’ A tear formed and fell to her cheek. Talisman took her in his arms and kissed her brow.
‘Who speaks?’ said Gorkai, taking Zhusai’s hand.
‘Do you know my Lord?’ she asked him.
‘Who are you?’ asked Gorkai. Talisman released his hold and turned towards the warrior. Gorkai gestured him to silence and stepped before the woman. ‘Tell me your name,’ he said.
‘I am Shul-sen, the wife of Oshikai. Can you help me?’
Gorkai took her hand and kissed it. ‘What help do you require, my Lady?’
‘Where is my Lord?’
‘He is . . .’ Gorkai fell silent and looked to Talisman.
‘He is not here,’ said Talisman. ‘Do you recall how you came here?’
‘I was blind,’ she said, ‘but now I can see, and hear and speak.’ Slowly she looked around. ‘I think I know this valley,’ she said, ‘but I do not remember the buildings here. I tried to leave the Dark Place, but there are demons there. My spells have no effect. The power is gone and I cannot leave.’
‘And yet you have,’ said Gorkai. ‘You are here.’
‘I do not understand,’ she said. ‘Am I dreaming? Someone called me, and I awoke here. These clothes are not mine. And where is my lon-tsia? Where are my rings?’
Suddenly she jerked as if struck. ‘No!’ she cried. ‘It is drawing me back. Help me! I cannot abide the Dark Place!’ Wildly she reached out, grabbing Talisman’s arm, then she went limp and fell against him. Her eyelids fluttered and Zhusai looked up at Talisman. ‘What is happening, Talisman?’ she asked.
‘What do you remember?’
‘I was dreaming. You remember? The woman in the cave? She was walking hand-in-hand with a man. Then the sun died away, and walls of black rock formed around us . . . her. All light faded until the darkness was absolute. The man was gone. I. . . she . . . tried to find a door in the rock, but there was none. And there were moans and snarls coming from close by. That is all I can remember. Am I going mad, Talisman?’
‘I do not think so, my Lady,’ said Gorkai softly. ‘Tell me, have you ever seen visions?’